THERESA MAY has been urged to axe plans to expand selective schools after a damning report revealed children from families who are “just about managing” are significantly less likely to attend grammar schools.

Pupils attending preparatory schools are around 10 times more likely to get into a grammar school than pupils who receive free school meals, the research published by think tank the Sutton Trust today found.

The findings will come as an embarrassment to the Prime Minister, who wants to expand grammar schools and has pledged to help families on the brink of poverty.

For the analysis the charity split families into five groups based on their household income with the lowest two groups classed as “just about managing.”

In selective areas, more than a third of children attending grammar schools are from the wealthiest families, compared with 4 per cent who are from the second poorest groups.

Children living in poorer neighbourhoods outside of London are much more likely to perform worse than those from richer areas, it was also found.

The research took into account GCSE attainment for pupils at grammar schools.

It was found that bright pupils on average do just as well in the best comprehensives as they do in grammars.

Association of Teachers and Lecturers general secretary Dr Mary Bousted, said: “There is now a wealth of evidence which shows that

grammar schools do not aid social mobility or improve overall educational standards.

“The government should invest in existing schools and staff to benefit all children.”

The Sutton Trust has recommended that the government establish a fund for comprehensive schools for highly able pupils in order to improve social mobility and to maximise their achievements.

And extensive outreach must also be undertaken by grammar schools to offer pupils from low and middle income homes the opportunity to apply.

Priority should be given to pupils from low and middle income homes who meet the entrance criteria in their admissions process, it said.

Sutton Trust’s education endowment foundation chairman Sir Peter Lampl added: “Today’s research raises concerns about the government’s plans to use new grammars as a vehicle for social mobility.

“We need to get existing grammars moving in the right direction before we consider expanding their number.”